A BIG BAND, a big sound and nearly an acre of suit fabric. This is the award-winning, Celtic-Rock Big Band that the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade is warning everyone about. Throw caution to the wind and embark on a musical journey* through the lands of the Celts, as these troubadours drag you headfirst into their world of rugged mountains, stormy oceans, fearsome battles, unrequited love and a dram or two of whisky.
Their unrehearsed style breathes new life into old favourites and firmly places their unique stamp on contemporary treasures … and some not-too-shabby stuff they’ve written themselves. Mildly humorous onstage banter, an insane number of instruments and robust, manly voices unite to create an experience that will, unfortunately, be seared deep into your memory long after the performance is over. Boisterous chorus songs and lilting ballads impel the tone deaf to sing fervently while spirited jigs, reels and hornpipes spur the uncoordinated out onto the dance floor. One minute you’re crying into your Guinness, the next minute you’re pouring it over your head with a hearty cheer.
Toss into this chaos a handful of award-winning dancers and you have a potent brew seasoned with song, dance, and mirth. Aye, these young ladies are sweet, neat and petite but whether it be an Irish Jig, a Highland Fling or some curious dance from the Celtic regions of France or Spain, they add that crucial beauty, grace and charm that a dozen sweaty men simply cannot muster.
Murphy’s Pigs has graced some big stages including the world’s largest Celtic Festival “Festival Interceltique de Lorient” in France (twice), the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, the Gympie Music Muster, Winton’s Way Out West Fest, Australian Celtic Festival and many other festivals, cultural and corporate events. They have performed to culture junkies at the Queensland Performing Arts Complex (as guests of the Queensland Pops Orchestra), roared in front of thousands of screaming, sports-crazy fans at Metricon Stadium, and have twice been awarded ‘Artist of the Year’ at the Australian Celtic Music Awards.
The band has recorded seven CDs and a concert DVD, and their music is enjoyed on national, local, and community radio stations around Australia, and in France, Germany, Canada, and the United States of America. If you like singing your heart out, stamping your feet, dancing like a loon or just wallowing in guilt-free revelry, then this is one journey* you will want to take.
*All journeys sold separately. Batteries not included.
AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS
Australian Celtic Music Awards:
2018 – Album of the Year (Live at The Triffid)
2016 – Artist of the Year, Group of the Year, Album of the Year (Larrikins & Knuckle Boys), Song of the Year
2015 – Album of the Year (In the Lap of the Hogs), Male Vocalist (John)
2013 – Artist of the Year
2011 – Triquetra Ambassador
Australian Golden Fiddle Awards:
2019 – Best Band
Queensland Music Awards:
2015 – World Music Category – Highly Commended (song – The Flying Dutchman)
DISCOGRAPHY
Live at the Irish Club (2008), Craic Me Up (2009), In the Green (2010), In the Lap of the Hogs (2014), Larrikins and Knuckle Boys (2015), Live at The Triffid (live concert DVD and companion CD) recorded at The Triffid (2017), Slainte Mhath (2018), Single – Christmas in Killarney (2020), The Very Best Of (2021)
PIG TRIVIA
Because practices are a ‘figment of the imagination’, the band has never played any of the songs the same way twice. Ever!